Certification goals for 2016

SconnieInShorts

SconnieInShorts wrote: »

MCS Virtualization & System Center 2012
MCSA Server 2012 R2
Upgrade to MCSA 2016
MCSE 2012 Private Cloud (If it's available, I might do MCSE 2016 Private Cloud)

You can cross one off the list for 2016... I passed the Virtualization w/ Hyper-V and System Center this morning

Iristheangel

It's not really a certification but I'll say it: CCIE R&S Written I'm also going to take a year-long program for Business Architectural transformation. I feel pretty strong on the design and technical side but I feel like this will bridge some of the business gaps I have.

I'm finding that the further I go in my career and further up I go on the certification tracks, the smaller my goals list because for the year. Mostly because my one or two goals are beasts in themselves and aren't things that can be knocked out in a couple months. I do a lot of side education such as that Z2H Security class I'm taking for 16 weeks, ACI training, Firepower training, etc but they're not really certification based and I find them to be more of a stress relief and break from the CCIE studies. Certifications definitely offer a structured way of educating yourself and for the associate through professional level exams, I found that I could knock them out quick enough if I focused that I wouldn't get bored. As I've learned in the last 2 years, the CCIE isn't really something you can take time off of to study another certification so all my extra education has to be a little less strict that certification-study.

Eventually after getting a CCIE Security, R&S and CCDE over the next couple of years, I'm hoping to round myself out with some more Linux, big data, NSX and general VMware skills along with maybe diving into python and scripting. Not really 2016 goals for those but just looking long-term to be the best technologist I can be

Iristheangel

TechGromit wrote: »

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a year, seems like an unobtainable goal to me. Maybe I'm just lazy.

My goals are to get my CCENT and CCNA certifications. I already took a global knowledge course for each of them, just have to get off my lazy butt and get serious about studying for them.

Then I'd like to take Sans SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling training in 2016 and obtain GCIH.

I wouldn't read too much into it. Most of the people listing 5-6 certifications as goals are looking at entry-level or mid-level certs so it's entirely realistic. It's not like they're listing 5 CCIE labs. When I first started, I knocked out 4 certs within the first 6 months (A+, Network+, Security+, Linux). They were all beginner exams and fairly easy. Plus some of these guys might have been working on these exams already so they're 80-90% of the way there anyways.

Anyways, goals are aspirational targets anyways Hopefully they're realistic and you can push yourself to get them but if they aren't, well... hopefully that person doesn't get discouraged and give up

joeljosue

CCNP
MCSA 2012
maybe VCP-DC

capwap

RHCSA
CEH (maybe)
Some Cisco shiznit

Pupil

planning on taking one SANS course, might challenge a couple others

[Deleted User]

Had to do a lot of thinking over the past few months and I have decided on my certs for next year:

Microsoft Specialist in Windows 7 and my CCNP Switch 300-115 exam and CISSP.

Chivalry1

Either the CISSP concentration (CISSP-ISSAP)
CCSP (New ISC2) Certification

Iristheangel

I think I'm going to add another two on there: SSFIPS and SSFAMP so I get the Sourcefire Certified Expert certification. I feel like it'll easily be inline with my weekend class so not much more effort and I'm definitely interested in the topics. I don't think they'll derail my CCIE studies at all

devils_haircut

I don't think I posted in this thread yet...

I got through CCNP: SWITCH a couple months ago, then got sidetracked with WGU stuff. I'm hoping to have ROUTE and TSHOOT done very soon. The original goal was to have them completed before my annual review in mid-February, but that would be tough to do now.

With the amount of wireless I touch now, getting in some Meraki or Aerohive training would be super. Failing that, I might just push into the CCNA: Wireless stuff. I'm pretty heavily Cisco-focused for now, although about half the environments I work with are primarily HP switching gear.

mokaz

these are the ones i'm focusing/reading on/about right now:

SLAE (SecurtityTube Linux Assembly Expert) --> paid & enrolled as a preparation for OSCE during my xmas break
OSCE
OPST
ACE

These are on the maybe side (for money concerns and timing of course):

GCFA and/or GXPN
CCSK and/or CCSP

rudegeek

Certs achieved this year were:

GSEC + GCWN

Failed VCP and Microsoft 70-411 (both of which I'm sure I would have passed if I wanted to try again, but I've moved on).

In progress with Elearn Web App Pentesting. And, I did 2 months of OSCP labs early this year.

So, next year it will have to be WAPTv2, OSCP, OSCE and CISSP. Maybe another SANS course preferably Windows Forensics (40 or GCIA (403). If selected for work study that is.....

Another busy year, but only Infosec certs = more fun.

chopsticks

I hope to be able to clear PMP, VCP6 and CISSP this year.

DWither

Getting my A+ 1st off . Im starting my 1st kinda IT role. As a mobile device support agent in a call center . From there i want to get my Network+. Then from there hopefully enroll in WGU later this year

fullcrowmoon

CISM
keep doing well in grad school

dsgm

Wireshark (personal)
Finish up CCNP
CCDA
CCNA DC (Personal)
If possible VCP5

rob1234

Interesting looks like security certs on high on most peoples to do list.

knownhero

MCSE: SharePoint 2013

Was hoping for it in 2015 but alas... I took to long studying for the 70-411.

SeekBytes

I would like to complete the CCNP in routing and switch by June 2016.

varelg

dsgm wrote: »

Wireshark (personal)...

Hey! Wait a minute, I want that too! Gosh darn it! Sigh... Revising my own goals for 2016 and adding Wireshark to RHCSA, RHCE and a cloud admin cert. Yeah, "thanks" dsmg...

whotime

WGU Needs:
CCENT
CCNA
CCNA:S
Linux+

Professional:
HCISPP
GCIH
GSEC
CISM


This is a hearty and ambitious list of certifications to get. The WGU certs (and Degree ) and the HCISPP are my top focus for this year.

sigsoldier

I should finish my MSISA in the first quarter of 2016. That'll be right around the time the new CISSP-ISSEP official study guide comes out, so I'm thinking of going that route.

I'm guessing that will be all I get through next year.

MSP-IT

Finish MBA at WGU
ISSAP
Maybe work on the OSCP again if I have time.

Nafe92014

Seeing I'm currently doing my colleges CCNA Curriculum, I'll be taking the CCENT in April or May after I pass the 2nd of 4 Cisco courses. Then in year 2, i'll take my CCNA after I pass course 3 and 4. As for other certifications besides my CCENT for the upcoming year, I may tackle a MCSA Server certification or maybe Linux+ (retaking Linux course in April).

RealUnited

A+
CCNA
Security+
Wireless

powerfool

Nafe92014 wrote: »

Seeing I'm currently doing my colleges CCNA Curriculum, I'll be taking the CCENT in April or May after I pass the 2nd of 4 Cisco courses. Then in year 2, i'll take my CCNA after I pass course 3 and 4. As for other certifications besides my CCENT for the upcoming year, I may tackle a MCSA Server certification or maybe Linux+ (retaking Linux course in April).

The Cisco Networking Academy is a very good program. I know there are differing opinions, but I found the program too slow-paced. They do offer a two varieties, though... a 4 semester option and a 2 semester option. Unfortunately, it is left to the institution as to which option that they offer. It is neither good nor bad, because slow-paced for me (someone who had studied the CCNA material for 5 years and had 6 years of IT experience, at the time), was much too quick for some of the folks in the class. The funny thing is, I chose my university based mostly on their offering of the program (and their strong evening curriculum and accelerated courses for adult learners) and I only ended up taking the first and second semesters.

IggI_Supreme

Goals for 2016:
CCNA Security
Linux LP1
CISSP
A job with benefits.

[Deleted User]

Goals for 2016 official: CCNP Switch, Microsoft Specialist Windows 7 configuring.

Had to do a lot of thinking and planning but because of some unexpected life expenses, I have to cut back my cert spending and just take these 2 exams and split up my CCNP over the next couple of years.

f16jetman

Finish off CCNA R&S (Scheduled the 200-101 for Jan 4th), and CCNA: Security, Linux+. Finish WGU above all to keep student loans to a bare minimum. After WGU I do not see myself earning new certs in 2016. Good luck everyone with your goals!

actionhank1786

I'm planning on getting the MCSA finished up for my Server 2012 studies by April. I have the 410 scheduled for the end of this month, then I hope to ramp up the studies after that. Then I was thinking of a Linux cert, maybe something with Red Hat. Then I'm planning to knock out Security+ and hopefully get a bit more involved with the security side of things. Guess it's a popular topic.

Slowhand wrote: »

I plan to take all the certs I said I was going to in 2015, that were pushed back from 2014, that were procrastinated on all throughout 2013, and that were hard-set goals in 2012.

In all seriousness, this upcoming year I plan on figuring out ways to make more time for studying. I need to do both certs and some academic book-hopping, so it'll be increasingly important for me to find the time every day, every week, every month, if I'm going to hit any of these long-standing goals. . . let alone new goals on the horizon. Small course-corrections, one step at a time, that's the real goal.

My biggest hurdle is just finding the time to not burn out on work/studying. Between the 8-9 hours a day doing the System/Network/Phone Admin then 3 days of an hour of Krav a week (which still isn't enough working out to counter my garbage eating) and another day of driving 2 hours each way to St. Louis for hockey...i feel like by the time I can sit down to study I'm so worn out from everything else that I just get distracted.

I've been trying to do my listening to CBT Nuggets at work, then that way I'm getting excited about trying out the new stuff when I get home to my lab. Granted, that all depends on e-mail/phone calls not disrupting the process.